Winter Greetings, from OMA! We have had a busy year so far and hope you are enjoying yours!

All of our thanks to pdxMC and our lovely song leaders! The Winter Sing Along was a wonderful community event. We learned new songs, visited (and even danced) with one another. Bruce Marbin, Cybil Kaven, and Kari Wax and Al shared lively songs. We hope to offer this event again!

Bruce Marbin, Al & Kari Wax

Coming up...

February 12, 2013 - Administrator's Meeting at Portland Montessori School (formerly Providence). We will meet at 6pm and have food available! RSVP to info@puddletownschool.com Topic: What do you want OMA to be doing for the benefit of you and your school?

Vancouver Children's Festival at the Vancouver Mall (Washington) in March - hosted by OMA's Regional Representative, Julie Davis, and many area Montessori schools.

April 20, 2013 - Spring Workshop in Eugene on Caring Discipline at Far Horizons Montessori School. 9am - 12:30pm. 3 credit hours awarded. Presentation by Sarah Lauer, based upon JoAnn Nordling's book Taking Charge and coordinated by the Parent Support Center pdx. This workshop is geared toward guides and assistants, as well as administrators.

May 5th, 2013 - OMA Annual Spring Tea at the All Saints Episcopal Church on SE Woodstock St, Portland. 2pm! Be sure to nominate outstanding community members and inspiring guides.

News & Reminders...

Submit your Forza Vitale articles by the 10th of each month for publication! Upcoming Forza articles will feature schools in our region, sharing unique aspects of their program or offering an article about one aspect of our work. The next Forza will feature pdxMC! Send us your school's interest, and we'll schedule your month.

Visit our website to download a nominating form to recognize your outstanding colleagues! Our Spring Tea is an excellent venue to offer gratitude for those who inspire our work through their dedication and gifts. We will present the Susie Huston Memorial Award for excellence in teaching and the OMA Outstanding Dedication Award to a community member who supports the Montessori movement. Please, join us in Woodstock at the All Saints Episcopal Church on May 5th at 2pm.

The revised Salary Survey will be coming to school administrators inboxes soon. We'd like to focus on all levels of teaching (toddlers through adolescents) and provide salary information, with size of school and experience levels included. We feel this will offer the most sought-after information to guides, assistants, and schools, without taking too much of your time to contribute. Volunteers will be working to send this survey out by the end of March.

We are accepting applications for Traveling Speakers - check our website for current biographies and topics, and add your name!

Thank you for participating in our community - and, thank you for your work with children in all corners of our state!